2.4.

4 Define diffusion and osmosis

Diffusion:
The net movement of particles from a region of high concentration
to a region of low concentration (along the gradient) until
equilibrium
Osmosis:
The net movement of water molecules across a semi-permeable
membrane from a region of low solute concentration to a region of
high solute concentration until equilibrium is reached
3.6.1 Define enzyme and active site
Enzyme:
A globular protein that increases the rate of a
biochemical reaction by lowering the activation energy threshold
(i.e. a biological catalyst)
Active Site: The site on the surface of an enzyme which binds to
the substrate molecule
3.6.4 Define denaturation
Denaturation is a structural change in a protein that results in the
loss (usually permanent) of its biological properties
3.7.1 Define cell respiration
Cell respiration is the controlled release of energy from organic
compounds in cells to form ATP
4.1.2 Define gene, allele and genome
Gene: A heritable factor that controls a specific characteristic,
consisting of a length of DNA occupying a particular position on a
chromosome (locus)
Allele: One specific form of a gene, differing from other alleles by
one or a few bases only and occupying the same locus as other
alleles of the gene
Genome: The whole of the genetic information of an organism
4.1.3 Define gene mutation
Gene mutation: A change in the nucleotide sequence of a section
of DNA coding for a particular feature
4.2.2 Define homologous chromosomes
Homologous chromosomes are chromosomes that share:
The same structural features (e.g. same size, same banding pattern,
same centromere position)
The same genes at the same loci positions (while genes are the
same, alleles may be different)
4.3.1 Define genotype, phenotype, dominant allele, recessive allele,
codominant alleles, locus, homozygous, heterozygous, carrier and
test cross
Genotype: The allele combination of an organism
Phenotype: The characteristics of an organism (determined by a

combination of genotype and environmental factors)

Dominant Allele: An allele that has the same effect on the
phenotype whether it is present in the homozygous or heterozygous
state
Recessive Allele:
An allele that only has an effect on the
phenotype when present in the homozygous state
Codominant Alleles:
Pairs of alleles that both affect the
phenotype when present in a heterozygote
Locus: The particular position on homologous chromosomes of a
gene
Homozygous: Having two identical alleles of a gene
Heterozygous: Having two different alleles of a gene
Carrier: An individual that has one copy of a recessive allele that
causes a genetic disease in individuals that are homozygous for this
allele
Test Cross: Testing a suspected heterozygote by crossing it with a
known homozygous recessive
4.3.7 Define sex linkage
Sex linkage refers to when a gene controlling a characteristic is
found on a sex chromosome (and so we associate the trait with a
predominant gender)
Sex-linked conditions are usually X-linked, as very few genes exist
on the shorter Y chromosome
4.4.11 Define clone
A clone is a group of genetically identical organisms or a group of
cells derived from a single parent cell
5.1.1 Define species, habitat, population, community, ecosystem
and ecology
Species: A group of organisms that can interbreed and produce
fertile, viable offspring
Habitat: The environment in which a species normally lives or the
location of a living organism
Population: A group of organisms of the same species who live in
the same area at the same time
Community: A group of populations living and interacting with
each other in an area
Ecosystem: A community and its abiotic environment
Ecology: The study of relationships between living organisms and
between organisms and their environment
Autotroph: An organism that synthesises its organic molecules
from simple inorgance substances (e.g. CO2 and nitrates) autotrophs are producers
Heterotroph: An organism that obtains organic molecules from
other organisms - heterotrophs are consumers

5.1.6 Define trophic level

An organism's trophic level refers to the position it occupies in a
food chain
5.4.1 Define evolution
Evolution is the cumulative change in the heritable characteristics of
a population
6.3.1 Define pathogen
A pathogen is a disease-causing micro-organism, virus or prion

6.5.4 Define resting potential and action potential (depolarisation

and repolarisation)
Resting Potential: The charge difference across the membrane
when a neuron is not firing (-70 mV), as maintained by the sodiumpotassium pump
Action Potential: The charge difference across the membrane
when a neuron is firing (about 30 mV)
Depolarisation: The change from a negative resting potential to a
positive action potential (caused by opening of sodium channels)
Repolarisation: The change from a positive action potential back
to a negative resting potential (caused by opening of potassium
channels)
D.3.2 Define half-life
The half life of a radioisotope is a measure of the time taken for the
radioactivity to fall to half its original level
In other words, it is a measure of the time taken for half the atoms
in a radioactive sample to decay
G.1.9 Define biomass
Biomass is the total dry organic matter of living organisms or
ecosystems
G.2.1 Define gross production, net production and biomass
Gross Production:
The amount of organic matter (biomass)
produced by plants
Net Production: The amount of organic matter produced by plants
minus what is needed for plant respiration
Biomass: The total dry organic matter of living organisms or
ecosystems
G.3.7 Define biomagnification
Biomagnification is the process in which chemical substances
become more concentrated at each trophic level